Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Hi everyone.  I am looking to buy a new lawnmower.  I am going to buy it from Lowes.  I cant figure out which one that I want as I am a complete idiot when it comes to riding mowers.  I cant decide between the husky or the cub cadet.  I also dont know whether or not the ones with more horspower are worth the extra money.  If any of you have time, I would really appreciate some expert advice on which mower to buy from lowes.  (They are offering 0% for 12 months)  If any of you have time, check out www.lowes.com and look at the mowers and let me know what you think.  Thank all of you who invest your time in advance for any feedback that you can give me.

I have a couple of acres to mow with several trees and shrubs.  I am looking for a mower that will last a long time with proper maintance.  I guess the most bang for the buck is the best way to describe it.  No snow, I live in Southeast NC, so we get very little if any.  I just want a long lasting mower that is going to cost me less in the longrun. I was looking at spending no more that $2,000.00.  Thanks for your reply.

Hi  Dave, First off welcome to the forum. Well my opinion I think I would go with the Husky. I just don't think that the Cub Cadets are built as well. I wish they still built them like they use too. I know I use a Husky trimmer and blower also for my small lawn business and they work really good! Another thing I look for also is the repair shops, is there a husky dealer close to you, or is there one that deals with Cadets close? These are just things I look for. I'm sure there will be someone soon that can give you the in's and out's.                                 Later Mike

Hi Dave, welcome!

You describe what many folks have when looking for a lawn tractor. There a few options you have available for good equipment in that price range.

• John Deere L118 & L120. These are the lower end Deere series tractors but people that have owned them seem to really have good things to say about them. Both of these models have a 22HP Briggs OHV V-Twin engine, fully welded and powder coated frame, twin touch foot controlled hydrostatic transmission and a 12ga steel mowing deck. The L118's deck is 42" wide and the L120's is 48". The L120 has larger tires that will give a better ride and stand up to more abuse while providing better traction. These are the main differences. L118 retails at $1,999.00, the L120 at $2,299.00. I would bet you could get a little knocked off that if you hold your tongue just right. 
• Husqvarna 1542XP & 1848XP. These are made by the same company that manufactures the Craftsman LT's and GT's for Sears. They're a step up from the Craftsmen line in the same way that Mercury is a step up from Ford. The differences in the two Husky's are the Engine HP and deck size.  I realize that the Deere's have a larger engine but I will tell you that 15HP and 18HP Kawasaki's are plenty powerful to drive 42" and 48" decks respectively. Both of the Husky's have an eclectic PTO for blade engagement, not that big of a deal but nice to have. You'll notice a front bumper and full instrument panels.
  

Read about both brands, go see them and sit on them. Feel the controls, see what it is that you like best. I do not recommend anything made by MTD other than the Cub 1500 series and above but they are out of your price range.

Good luck, feel free to ask anything else.

Here is the link to the one that I am looking at.  

http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=77880-41798-LOYT24H48&lpage=none

See what you guys think about it.  The John Deere's in this area are HIGH.  For 2,000, I cant even buy a used one that looks good, so they are out of the question.  Thanks guys.

 Dave,

If you are going to buy from Lowes, get a "Change Of Address" pac from The Post Office. Reason being, some times they have a 10% off coupon from Lowes.

Also at HD they have the same lawnmower under the Poulan name, same as Husky. They give 10% off on lawnmowers if you use their(new credit card )for the first time.

                               Hope this helps.

                                                                                                      Fred                

I may be mistaken, but I believe the Husqvarna tractors at Lowes have a Briggs Motor.

You need to buy from a dealer to get the Kawasaki engine ( which is what I would do).

Good luck.

Emmo wrote:
Last year when we were looking, i am pretty sure that all the machines at lowes matched up to a machine at sears, and none had kawa engines.  Maybe for this year things have changed.  I'd suggest too that he look at the sears gt's on the right day you can get alot more for your $$$ from sears and get the same financing.  FTR, we love our lt2000, now going into its 2nd season, but nowhere near time to fire it up yet.

It's slightly over your $2000 budget, but have you checked out the CubCadet SLT2554? A lot of tractor for the $$$, and available at Lowe's.

If I weren't buying the XP series of Husqvarna, I would buy the Craftsman instead.

Clearify for me please, where are you that the Deere's sell for more than MSRP?

I am in Southeastern NC.  The Deere that I looked at was a 2 year old LT series.  They guy was going to knock $400 off of the sticker of a new one because it was used.  I have a Lowes card and they have a special going on 0% for 12 months right now.  That is why I wanted to try and get the best mower for the money from them.  They do not list the model numbers like you guys are refering to.  That is why I wanted one of you to go to their site and see what was the best that they had.  I know it is asking alot, but I was hoping, lol.  If anyone gets the time, I would appreciate it.  If not, I appreciate all of the input that you guys have given so far.  I will give you guys this, you know your mowers.  Thanks.